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- Law making
- Oversight
- Representation
- Forum for debate
- LAW MAKING
Law making is considered the main function of Parliament. The Legislative role is performed through passing of Bills brought before both houses. Every proposal of a Law passes through the following stages:
The First Reading
The Minister makes a formal introduction by reading the long title. No debate takes place at this stage. The Bill is referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee to determine whether if passed, the Bill is not ultra vires provisions of the Constitution particularly “the Bill of Rights.”A report is compiled by the Committee indicating their opinion .The report can be “adverse” or “non adverse”. An adverse report implies that if enacted the Bill would be in contravention of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and “non adverse is the opposite.
Second Reading
After the report, the Minister will explain the principles of the Bill and Members of Parliamentdebate on these Principles of the Bill.
The Committee Stage
The next stage is the committee of the whole House where the House becomes a Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. The guiding principle is to make such corrections in the Bill that are likely to make it more acceptable. It is at this stage that amendments may be proposed.
The Report Stage
This is the formal presentation of the Bill to the Presiding Officer by the Chairman of the Committee. It also signifies that the House has passed the Bill with or without amendments.
The Third reading
This is the last stage of the Bill in the House. Members may debate but do not go back on the salient issues that would have been passed. With the concurence of the majority members in the House present, it is read the third time. Once the Bill is passed, it has to be certified by the respective Presiding Officer and goes to the next House for the same consideration beginning on the Second Reading stage. Bills can be introduced from either House, except the Money Bill, which is introduced in The House of Assembly but must undergo the same process in both Houses. The Bills are subject to assent by The Head of State in accordance with section 51 of the Constitution.
- OVERSIGHT
The Constitution gives Parliament powers to authorize collection and the use of public funds .It also monitors the use of all public funds. Parliament therefore makes input into the Government projects and plans by monitoring and approving the National Budget.The issues of holding Government to account are at the centre of every workable democracy.The oversight role is meant to protect public funds from abuse.
- REPRESENTATION
The Constitution also provides for the composition of Parliament. Parliament plays a major representational role arising from the fact that the majority of Members of Parliament are representatives of their Constituencies; directly elected by the people to articulate issues affecting the people they represent. Members of Parliament play this representative role at Constituency level as well as in the House.
- Forum for debate
The Parliament is a forum for debate, which offers a unique opportunity for Members of Parliament to debate various issues as they affect the people. The Members of the Executive (Cabinet Ministers) are compelled to respond to motions raised by Members of Parliament that fall within their respective Portfolios. The Executive also has an opportunity to bring in policy issues for debate by the Members of Parliament.
- COMMITTEE SYSTEM
Among other topics for discussions is the Committee system.A Committee is a group of members appointed by a House of Parliament to perform specific
function, which the House has entrusted to it and report back to the Houses of Parliament on the matter, referred to it.There are various Committees, which are appointed at Parliament, and they include Standing and Sessional.
- Standing Committees are established by the Constitution and the Standing Orders to perform specific functions during the life of Parliament.
- Sessional Committees are those elected by the House or appointed sessionally to perform specific functions.Currently Members are selected from both Houses to sit in the Committees.
Linked to Committees, presentations are given on the Role of Chairpersons of Committees.These co-ordinate the work of Committees and are appointed according to Standing Rules.Ad hoc Committees do select their own Chairpersons.
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